Obituary: Hans Havas, Beloved Usher at Nat Bailey Stadium, Passes Away at 75
Hans Havas, a cherished figure in Vancouver’s sports community, passed away at 75 due to pancreatic cancer. Renowned for his vibrant presence as an usher at Nat Bailey Stadium, Havas also worked with the Vancouver Canucks, B.C. Lions, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Vancouver Warriors.
Starting his career with the Vancouver Canadians in 1978, Havas took on various roles, most notably leading the Chicken Dance on the third-base dugout during the sixth-inning stretch. His involvement with the Canucks, Lions, and Whitecaps spanned over a decade, and he began ushering for the Warriors in 2018 when the Canucks acquired the team.
It is with great sadness, that we share with our fans that long time usher Hans Havas has passed away peacefully today.
Our deepest condolences to Hans’ family, friends, and colleagues. Hans will be deeply missed, and his legacy will forever live on at the Nat. pic.twitter.com/1guJGon7vm
— Vancouver Canadians (@vancanadians) July 4, 2024
Tim Havas, Hans’ son, recalled his father’s widespread popularity and the outpouring of support from the community. Hans’ commitment to the Vancouver Canadians was particularly profound. He initially served as the coordinator of housing for players and their families and later moved into ushering, fostering strong connections with the team and its players.
Former C’s play-by-play announcer Rob Fai highlighted Hans’ dedication, often welcoming the team back from road trips with infectious enthusiasm. Jake Kerr, former owner of the Canadians, described Hans as the epitome of customer service and the “heart of the Nat.”
The Vancouver Canadians paid tribute to Hans with a moment of silence before a recent game against the Everett AquaSox. Tim shared a fond memory of attending a playoff game with his father, where Hans unabashedly cheered for the Canadians in Everett’s stands.
Tim, who followed in his father’s footsteps by working various roles with the Canadians, reflected on Hans’ passion for creating memorable experiences for fans, particularly children. Hans’ legacy of joy and connection lives on through the countless lives he touched.
